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Emily McCarthy

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Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and heroin) has quadrupled, accounting for six out of every 10 drug overdose deaths. Current estimates show that 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC1.

Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and heroin) has quadrupled, accounting for six out of every 10 drug overdose deaths. Current estimates show that 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Opioid deaths are increasing at alarming rates across the states. And while state policies to reduce the availability of prescription opioids are working to reduce overdose deaths, heroin and synthetic opioid overdoses are beginning to climb.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, estimates that 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. The opioid epidemic is one of the biggest public health challenges in the United States today, leading to higher drug abuse rates, increasing health care costs and imposing additional stress on state budgets. Three new reports released in June 2017 demonstrate the growing need for solutions.

A measles outbreak in Minnesota has reached 69 cases total and is costing public health departments thousands of dollars as they try to track, treat and control the spread of this disease. Among the 69 confirmed cases, 65 have been confirmed in people who are unvaccinated. In addition, 66 of the cases occurred in children under 18 as reported by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Medicaid is the second largest source of health care insurance in the United States, serving over 74.5 million people in some of our most vulnerable communities. Coverage is provided to low-income children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. Many Medicaid enrollees would be uninsured or underinsured without this coverage. The Medicaid program is funded with a combination of federal and state funds, with more federal participation in states with fewer fiscal resources.